But just because someone quotes 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and is opposed to same-sex marriage doesnt mean that theyre speaking up for a theologically informed, humane, pastorally sensitive view of what it means to be gay. Not by a long shot. And social conservatives should think twice before linking the concern for religious liberty to a vindication of Robertson.

I wont quote Robertsons remarks in full heretheyre easy to look up but suffice it to say that he implies that if gay men could only open their eyes, it would dawn on them how myopic theyve been. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what Im saying? But hey, sin: Its not logical, my man. Its just not logical. The conclusion to draw from this comment, as Katelyn Beaty noted earlier today on Twitter , is that gay men should just wake up to how awesome womens body parts are.

But, of course, thats just not how sexuality works.

When I was in my early twenties and just beginning to allow myself to face up to my sexuality, I remember a wise pastor friend telling me that anyone with an Augustinian anthropologyfor those playing at home, thats a dim view of natural human ability to be virtuous and an uber-high view of Gods slow-moving, unpredictable graceshould have no time for the notion that gay people ( or anyone else! ) choose whom theyll be attracted to. That seems obvious to me now, after years of thinking about these things, but at the time, hearing him say that felt like a revelation. A weight was lifted. Someone understood!

No one who takes seriously the mysteries of human nature and all the ways our hearts are opaque, even to ourselves, would say that embracing a Christian view of marriage and sexuality could ever be a matter of saying, Gee, Phil, Id never thought of it that way before, thanks!

And making that point is also a matter of speaking up for Christian orthodoxy in the public square.